Pump



March 1 1927. 1,619,286

A. W. BURKS PUMP Filed June 1, 1921 Patented Mar. 1, 1927.

UNITED STATES ARTHUR W. BURKS, 0F DECATUR, ILLINOIS.

PUMP.

Application filed June 1,

This invention relates to pumps, and more particularly to pumps, of the centrifugal type which comprise a" rotor havingK fluid impelling means, such as a series of blades, disposed remote from its axis and operating upon fluid within a raceway, the rotor being disposed within a casing which makes a sealing fit with the same to prevent movement of the fluid radially inwardly from the raceway.

An object of this invention is to provide a pump in which the rotor has located there-' on impelling blades of improved and more efficient construction.

Another object of the invention is to afford a pump in which the fluid raceway is tightly sealed to revent leakage. I

A still further object of the invention is to provide a pump of extremely simple construction, and which ,may, as a result, be manufactured with considerable economy.

The above mentioned and other objects of the invention of a character which are more intimately connected with the details of the illustrated embodiment of the invention, will become more obvious as the description proceeds.

The invention consists, broadly, of a pump having a disc type rotor provided on one face with an annular marginal series bf blades which, preferably, are inclined in the directionof rotation of the rotor for the purpose, among others, of increasing the force of the tangential impulse given the particles of fluid by the rotor.

cally the blades are located in an annular marglnal groove in a lateral face of the rotor with their ends substantially flush with arranged on-a lateral face ofthe rotor, it-

the surface of the rotor on each side of the groove. Although the blades are preferably is to be understood that this lateral dis position of the same is not essential; for this reason it will be stated throughout the. de-

scription and claims that the blades are marginally disposed, or, in other words, are remote from the axis of the rotor and at or adjacent the rotor periphery or margin.

, The rotor is enclosed in a casing having a section which faces the surface of the rotor having the series of blades therein, and which is formed with an annular channel opposite the series of blades to afford a race way. This casing section closely receives the'rotor on each side of the channel and the More specifi-- 1921. Serial No. 474,120.

series of blades in order to close the raceway, and both the casing section and the rotor are formed with annular co-acting ribs in order to minimize leakage from the raceway.

In the accompanying drawings there is illustrated one form-of a device embodying the features which have above been generally described, and in these drawings Fig. 1 is a side view of the pump with a portion of the same shown in section,

Fig. 2 is a front elevational view with a portion of the casing broken away,

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary view of the in provided with an inlet 12 and an outlet 13 extending through the web of the casing section. The section 10 is secured adjacent its periphery to a rear casing section 14, as by bolts 15 extending through the two sections. The section 14, upon its inner face, is formed with a marginal shoulder or flange 16 to pr0- vide a central recess or cavity for the reception of a rotor, 17 fixedly secured to a shaft 18, having a bearing 19 in a boss 20 in the casing section 10, and a bearing 21 in the section 14. The rotor is of the disc-type,

' and is provided remote from its axis with a groove having therein a series of blades with the walls of the groove substantially closin the spaces between the blades at the sides Fhereof to form buckets. This groove is marginally disposed, or, in other words, is remote from the axis and at or adjacent the rotor periphery further, the groove is, al-

though not'necessarily, arrangedon a lateral face of the disk as indicated by the reference character 22. The blades 23 are ar ranged in the groove, which, it will be observed, is of curved or semi-circular formation in cross section. Since the channel 11, forming the raceway is also of curved or semi-circular crosssection, there is thus provided, as illustrated clearly in Figure 1, a fluid passage, which, cross sectional shape,

is continuously curved, without sharp ends or angles. In other words, the walls of the raceway and buckets merge, and are substantially continuous at the lines of junction; and the cross sectional shape of each bucket is such that in association with the adjacent cross section of the raceway, the entire wall of the bucket and raceway is of curved or circular form. This construction avoids sharp corners or bends for the water, and when the same is thrown outwardly by centrifugal action of the rotating disk, a whirling effect is imparted thereto by the raceway, and it returns to the buckets at a point further on in the raceway without loss of friction or the creation of eddy currents as would occur if the raceway and buckets were not of this curved formation and did not merge.

As will be noted from an inspection of Fig. 5, the blades are slightly inclined in an anti-clockwise direction. which is the direction of movement of the rotor, and have their ends 23 substantially flush with the face of the rotor at each side of the groove 22. It is, of course, understood by one skilled in the art that in pumps of this type the blades impart to the particles of water entering through the inlet opening into the raceway two impulses, one in a direction radially of the, rotor, which is the action of the centrifugal force, and another impulse in a direction at a tangent to the rotor, which is, of course, the result of the tangential force. As is understood, the centrifugal force and the tangential forces created by the revolution of the rotor modify each other so that the ath actually taken by the particles of fluid is one which is a component of these two influences. It has been found that by forwardly inclining the blades 23 in the manner shown in the drawings the influence of the tangential force is materially increased, which is highly desirable in this type of pump.

In order to minimize leakage from the raceway the casing section 10 forms a substantially wgter-tight joint with the rotor at each side of the channel 11 and the series of blades, as will be clear from an inspection of Fig. 1. Both the face of the rotor and the inner face of the casing section are formed at the sides of the channel and the series of blades with co-acting and interlocking annular ribs 24, which tend to seal the raceway.

The rotor shaft 18 may be driven through the pulley 25 adjacent a loose pulley 26. to which the driving belt is transferred when operation ofthe pump is to be stopped. As

is customary, the inlet and outlet openingsto the rotor shaft 18 and the rotor is revolved in a counter clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 2. Fluid entering through the inlet opening 12 is engaged by the blades, generally upon the inner side of the blades. and the centrifugal force immediately results in a tendency to throw the water against the outer wall of the raceway, the centrifugal force being. modified by a forward or tangential force created by the revolution of the rotor. The path actually taken by the fluid is a resultant of these two forces. Each amount of fluid operated upon in this manner, of course, obtains a great increase in velocity. This increase in velocity head of the fluid is immediately imparted in the form of pressure head to the fluid immediately ahead in the raceway, and the impartation of power results in an immediate decrease in head on the part of the amount of fluid which again is actuated by the rotor. in passing through the raceway the fluid follows the helical course until it reaches the outlet opening, where its very high velocity head: is changed to pressure head. The frequency with which the fluid is actuated by the rotor during its passage through the raceway will vary in accordance with the back pressure at the outlet, high back pressure at the outlet tending to lengthen the path of the fluid by increasing the number of times it is subjected to the action of the rotor.

In other words, as the back pressure in creases, the curves of the line of travel of the fluid back and forth or into and out of the rotor will multiply and become sharper, since the high back pressure prevents the fluid from passing onwardly within the raceway for any considerable distance before it imparts its velocity head to the preceding fluid and then returns to the rotor for impulsion.

In addition to the action of the rotor, the form of the raceway changes the direction of the water and causes it to take the helical path, and if no other forceacted to change its course or reduce its velocity, it would again enter the impeller at a point farther ahead in the direction of its rotation, when it would again-receive kinetic energy from the action of the impeller. Due to the small friction of the discharge and the friction of the passage through the raceway, in addition to the head. the pump may be acting against,

the water leaving the impeller will encounter a back pressure or pressure head acting in a direction opposite rotation of the impeller. This force tends to change the course of the water counter to the direction in which it is traveling. The water in thus changing its direction gives up its velocity headto the water just ahead of it in the form. of

the pressure head. As the water gives up its velocity head to the water in advance,

it is caused, by the several forces mentioned, to return to the impeller to obtain additional velocity, and the path it takes is a helical one.

p The water does not in any substantial or considerableamount pass through the narrow portion of the raceway. Small amounts of the same may return to the inlet opening, but not-in degrees suflicient to affect the operation of the pump.

Furthermore, it will be understood that the close fit ofthe rotor within the casing assists the action of centrifugal force in maintaining the fluid within the raceway, and although small amounts of the fluid may work inwardly toward the axis due to the fact thatthere is too great a clearance between the rotor and raceway, the con struction is such that in ordinarily operation this will not occur to an extent sufiic'ient to affect the operation of the pump.

It should be borne in mind that while I ing channel 11 is shown as positioned in a.

plane paralleling a lateral face of the rotor on which the blades are located. the invention is not limited to this precise location for either the channel or the blades.

lVhen it is stated in the specification and claims that the series of blades is marginally disposed. it is simplymeant that the bladesare remote from the axis of the disk and are either at or adjacent the margin of the rotor disk, The statement that the blades are marginally disposed does not limit the invention to the positioning of the blades on Moreover, when the series" a lateral face. of blades and. raceway are defined as annular, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be restricted to either a raceway or a series of blades which constitutes a complete annulus or ring, and the term is used in a generic sense to cover a curved or arcuate formation of the series of blades or raceway.

I claim: p

l. A pump comprising a rotor having an annular marginal I groove. a plurality of blades in said groove, the walls of the groove closing the spaces between said, blades at the sides of the blades. and a plurality of sealing ribs adjacent the groove adapted to ily inclined outwardly from said surface in the direction of rotation of the rotor, the

walls of the groove closing the spaces between said blades at the sides thereof.

3. A pump comprising a rotor having an annular groove adjacent its margim-a plurality of blades in said groove having their ends substantially flush with the surface of the rotor on each side of the groove, the v walls of the groove closing the spaces between said blades at the sides of the blades,

and a plurality of sealing ribs adjacent the surface of. the rotor at each side of the groove. c

5. A pump comprising a rotor having an annular marginal series ofblades and a casing havingan annular channel-therein, said casing on each side of said channel forming a substantially water-tight joint with the faceof said rotor on each side of said blades. to form a closed fluid raceway.

6. A pump comprisinga rotor having an annular marginal'series of blades inclined in the direction of rotation of the rotor and a casing having an annular channel therein. said casing on-each side of said channel forming a substantially water-tight joint with the face of said rotor on each \side of said blades to forma closed fluid raceway.

7. A pump comprising a rotor having an annular marginal series of blades and a casing having an annular channel therein, said casing on each side of the channel forming a substantially Water-tight joint with the rotor on each side of the blades to form a closed fluid racewaY; the casing and rotor being provided at the. sides of the blades with a plurality of annular co-acting ribs to prevent leakage.

8'. A pump comprising a rotor having an annular marginal series of blades and a casing having an annular channel therein. said casing on each side of the channel formillg a substantially water-tight joint with the said face of the rotor on" each side of the blades to form a closed liuid raceway, the cas ng and rotor being provided at the sides of the blades witha plurality of annular co-acting ribs to prevent leakage.

9. A pump comprising a rotor having an annular marginal groove. a series of blades in said groove having their ends substantially flush with the surface of the rotor on each side of the groove. and'a casing having an annular channel therein, said casing on each side of the channel forming a substantially water-tight joint with the said face of the rotor on each side of the blades to form a closed fluid racewaiy, the casing and rotor being provided-at tie sides of the blades with a plurality of annular co-acting ribs to prevent leakage.

10. A pump comprising a rotor havin an annular marginal series of blades, a shaft for said rotor and a casing having bearings for said shaft and comprising a section facing said rotor and having an annular channel therein oppositethe series of blades, the said casing section forming a substantially water-tight joint with the said face of the rotor on each side of the series of blades to form a closed fluid raceway, said casing section having a fluid inlet and outlet.

11. A pump comprising a rotor havin an annular marginal series of blades, a s aft for said rotor and a casing having bearings for said shaft and comprising a section facing said rotor and having an annular channel therein opposite the series of blades, the said casing section forming a substantially water-tight joint with the said face of the rotor on each side of the series of blades to form a closed fluid raceway, the casing section and rotor being provided at the sides of the blades and channel with a series of annular do-acting ribs to prevent leakage. said casing section having a fluid inlet and outlet.

12. A pump comprising a rotor having an annular marginal series of blades having their ends substantially flush with the face of the rotor, a shaft for said rotor and a casing having bearings for said shaft and comprising a section facing said rotor and having an annular channel therein opposite the series of blades, 'the said casing section forming a substantially water-tight joint with the said face of the rotor on each side of the series of blades to form a closed fluid raceway, the casing section and rotor being provided at the sides of the blades and channel with a series of annularco-acting ribs to prevent leakage, said casing section having a fluid inlet and oulet.

13. A pump comprising a rotor having an annular marginal series of blades inclined in the direction of rotation of the rotor and having their ends substantially flush with the face of the rotor, a shalt for said. rotor and a casing having hearings for said shalt and comprising a section lacing said rotor and having an annular channel therein opposite the series of blades. the said casing sect-ion forming a sllbstantially water-tight joint with the said face oi the rotor on each side of the series of blades to "form a closed fluid raceway, the casing section androtor being provided at the sides of the blades and channel with a series of annular co-acting ribs to prevent leakage, said casing section having a fluid inlet and outlet.

14-, A pump comprising a rotorhaving an annular groove remote from its axis, a plurality of blades in said groove, the Walls of the groove closing the spaces between the blades at the sides of the blades, and a plurality of sealing ribs adjacent the groove adapted to co-operate with com lemental ribs on a rotor casing to form a uid raceway.

15. A pump comprising a rotor having an annular groove disposed on a lateral face and remote from its axis, a plurality of blades in said groove, the walls of the roove closing the spaces between said blades at the sides of the blades, and a lurality of sealing ribs on opposite sides of the groove adapted to co-operate with complemental ribs on a rotor casing.

16. A pump comprising a rotor having an annular groove, a plurality of blades in said groove forming a series of buckets, the walls of the groove closing the spaces between the blades at the sides thereof,.and a casing having a channel facin said groove, the casing making substantial y water-tight joints with the surface of the rotor on the opposite sides of the groove to form a closed fluid raceway.

17. A pump comprising a rotor having an annular groove, a plurality of blades in said groove forming a series of buckets and having their ends substantially flush with the surface of the rotor at the sides of the groove, and a casing -having a channel facing said rotor and making substantially watertight joints with the surface of the rotor on opposite sides of the groove to form a closed fluid race-way.

18. Apump comprising a rotor having an annular groove, a series of blades in said groove having their ends substantially flush I with the surface of the rotor on opposite sides of the groove, the walls of the groove closing the spaces between the blades at the sides thereof, a casing having an annular channel facing said series of blades, the casing on each side of-the channel making a substantially water-tight joint with the surface of the rotor at the sides of the blades to form a substantially closed fluid raceway, and'a plurality of annular co-acting ribs on the casing and rotor at the sides of the blades serving to prevent leakage from said raceway.

19. A pump comprising a rotor having an annular series of blades, a casing surrounding said rotor and having a channel co-operating with said blades to form a raceway, and a plurality of annular co acting ribs on the rotor and casing at each side of the series of blades to seal the raceway 20. A pump comprising a rotor having formed on a lateral face an annular groove, and a plurality ol blades in said groove bodily inclined outwardly from said lateral Ill a lateral face an annular groove and a plurality of blades in said groove, the walls of the groove closing the spaces between the blades at the sides thereof, and a casing having an annular channel therein facing said groove and blades and making a substantially water-tight joint with the face of the rotor on opposite sides of the groove to form a substantially. closed fluid raceway.

22. A pump comprising a rotor having on a lateral face an annular groove and a plurality-of blades insaid groove, the walls of the groove closing the spaces between the blades at the sides thereof, a casing having an annular channel Ytherein facing said groove and blades and making asubstantially water-tight joint with the face of the rotor on opposite sides of the groove to form a substantially closed fluid raceway, and a plurality of cooperating sealing ribs upon the casing and rotor at opposite sides of the said groove to prevent leakage from theraceway.

23. A pum comprising a rotor having on a lateral face an annular groove adjacent its margin, a plurality of blades in said groove, the ends of which are substantially flush with the ends of the rotor at opposite sides of the groove, the walls of the groove closing the spaces between the blades at the sides thereof, and annular ribs on the surface of the rotor at opposite sides of the groove.

24. A pump comprising a rotor having an annular groove remote from its axis, a plurality of blades in said groove extending entirely thereacross to form a series of buckets, the walls of the groove closing the spaces between the blades at the sides thereof, and a casing surrounding said rotor having a channel facing the groove and blades, the casing making a substantially watertight joint with the surfaceof the rotor at the sides of the said groove to form a substantially closed fluid raceway.

25. A pump comprising a rotor having on a side surface an annular series of blades, a casing for said rotor having a raceway for fluid impelled by said blade and inter-fitting ribs and boves on said casing and rotor at each sid; of said series of blades to seal said raceway.

26. A pump comprising a rotor having an annular series of blades, and annular rib and groove means at each side of said series adapted to interfit with complemental rib and groove means on a rotor casing.

.27. A pump comprising a rotor having on a lateral surface an annular series of blades, and annular rib and groove means at each side of said series adapted to interfit with complemental rib and groove means on a rotor casing.

28. A pum comprising a rotor having an annular series of blades, a casing for said rotor, the rotor having a relatively close fit in said casing on each side of said series of blades to provide a substantially fluidtight raceway and interfitting ribs and grooves formed in said casing and rotor to seal said raceway.

29. A pump comprising a rotor having on a lateral surface an annular series of blades, a casing for said rotor, the rotor having a relatively close fit in said casing on each side of said series of blades to provide a substantially fluidtight raceway and interfltting ribs and grooves formed in said casing and rotor to seal said raceway.

30. A pump COIDPIlSlIlg a'rotorhav'mg an annular groove adjacent its margin, a p1u-. rality of blades in said groove bodily inclined outwardly from said surface in the direction of rotation of the rotor, the walls of the groove closing the spaces between said blades at the sides thereof, and a casing for said rotor having a raceway, the casing and rotormaking a substantially fluidtight joint at the sides ofthe raceway and said groove, and the casing being provided with inlet and outlet openings leading to said raceway.

31. A pump comprising a rotor having formed on a lateral face an annular groove, a plurality of blades in said groovebodily inclined outwardly from said lateral face in the direction of rotation of the rotor, the

walls of the groove closing the spaces between the blades at the sides thereof, and a casing for said rotor having a raceway, the casing and rotor making a substantially fluidtight joint at each side of said groove and the casing having inlet and outlet openings communicating with said raceway.

32. A rotor for a pump comprising a metallic disc having an annular series of radially disposed blades, pockets formed in the disc between said blades, said blades being disposed inwardly from the peripheral edge of the disc and remote from its axis whereby a continuous annular face lies immediately adjacent said peripheral edge.

33. A pump comprising a casing, a rotatable disc in said casing having an annular series of blades disposed adjacent but inwardly from the peripheral edge of the disc whereby a continuous annular face lies immediately adjacent said peripheral edge, said casing and disc making a substantially watertight fit along said face, and a groove in said casing forming a fluid passage therein opposite the blades.

34; A pump comprising a casing, a rotatable disc in said casing, said casing having an annular passage formed therein opposite a lateral face of'the disc and adjacent its margin, an annular series of blades on said disc spaced from its periphery to engage li uid in said passa e, said disc and casing aving a substantially tight fit on the inner side of the series of said blades whereby movement of liquid radially inwardly is resisted, and supply and discharge ducts co-operating with said passage.

35. A pump comprising a casing, a rotatable disc in said casing, the casing having an annular passage formed therein opposite a lateral face of the disc and adjacent its mar in, a series of blades on said disc spaced irom its periphery to engage liquid in said passage, pockets in said disc between the blades, said disc and easing having a substantially tight fit on the inner side of said series of blades whereby movement of liquid radially inwardly is resisted, and supply and discharge ducts co-operating with said passage.

36. A pump comprising a casing, a rotatable disc in said casing, said casing having an annular passage formed therein opposite a lateral face of the disc and adjacent its margin, an annular series of blades on said disc spaced from its peripher to engage liquid in said passa e, said iso and casing having a substantially tight fit on the opposite sides of said series of blades whereby movement of liquid radially with respect to said passage is resisted, and

supply and discharge ducts co-operating with said passage.

37. A pump comprising a casing, a rotata'ble disc in said casing, said casing having an annular passage therein opposite a lateral face of the disc and adjacent its mar in, an annular series of blades on a lateral ace of said disc to engage liquid in said passage, pgckets on thedisc between the blades closed from the periphery of the disc, said disc and casing making a substantially tight fit on the inner side of the series of blades whereby movement of liquid radially inwardly is resisted, and supply and discharge ducts co-operating with said passage.

38. it pump comprising a casing, a rotatable disc in said casing, said casing having an annular passage therein opposite a lateral face of the disc and adjacent its mar in, an annular series oi" blades on a lateral face of said disc to engage liquid in said passage, poclrets on the disc between the blades closed from. the periphery of the disc, said disc and easing malring a. substantially tight fit on the inner side of the series of blades where by movement ozt liquid radially inwardly is resisted, there being also a substantially tight fit between the casing and rotor out side the series of blades, and supply and discharge ducts co-op8ruting with said passage.

39. it pump comprising a casing, a rotat able disc in said casing, said casing having" an annular passage therein opposite a lateral face of the disc and adjacent its margin, an annular series of blades on a lateral face of said disc to engage liquid in said passage, pockets on the disc between the blades, said disc and casing making a substantially tight fit on the inner .side of the series of blades whereby movement of liquid radially inwardly is resisted, there being also a substantially tight fitbetween the casing and rotor outside the series of blades, and supply and discharge ducts co-operating with said passage.

40. In a pump of the class described, a casing having therein a substantially annular fluid raceway and an inlet and an outlet for said raceway, and a rotor having a marginal and laterally disposed series of blades forming buckets adjacent said race-- way, the rotor and the casing makin substantially fluid-tight points at the si es of the blades, said raceway and buckets forming a fluid passage whichis substantially curved in cross section with the raceway and bucket walls substantially merging.

41. In a pum of the class described, a casing having t erein a substantially annular fluid raceway and an inlet and an outlet for said raceway, and a rotor having a marginal series of blades forming buckets adjacent said raceway, the rotor and the casing making substantially fluid-tight joints at the sides of the blades, said racewa and bucket walls being substantially curve in cross sec tion with the raceway and bucket walls substantially merging at opposite sides of the.

buckets.

42. In a pump of the class described, a casing having therein a substantially annular fluid raceway and an inlet and an out let for said raceway, and a rotor having a marginal series of blades formin buckets adjacent said raceway, the spaces etween said blades at the sides thereof being closed, and. the rotor and the casing making substantially fluid-tight joints at the sides of the blades, said raceway and bucket walls being substantially curred in cross section with the raceway and bucket walls substantially merging at radially spaced points whereby to receive and direct fluid thrown outwardly back into the buckets at their opposite and radially inwardly disposed sides.

43. in a pump of the class described, a rotor having: a marginal series of blades, a casing having therein a passage iorming a raceway adapted to co-operate with said blades, the rotor and easing making substantially fluid tight joints at the sides ot the blades, said raceway being curved substantially continuously in cross-section and merging with the buckets whereby to direct the fluid thrown radially outwardly by the buckets back into the same without the formation of eddy currents.

44. In a pump of the class described, a

casing having therein a substantially anwalls thereof substantially merging with the Anular fluid raceway, an inlet and an outlet buckets at their radially outer and radially for the same, and a rotor having a marginal inner sides whereby to continuously direct laterally disposed series of blades forming return to the buckets without the format-ion 6 buckets for propelling fluid through said of eddy currents fluid thrown radially out- '15 raceway, the rotor and easing making a subwardly therefrom. stantially fluid tight joint radially inwardly In testimony whereof I have hereunto set whereby to resist the fiow of fluid from the my hand. raceway, said raceway being curved substana l0 tially continuously in cross section and the ARTHUR W. BURKS. 

